Chapter 6

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@abjeya

Chapter 5

Rathore said "Who is Riya's source?. Singh Sir smirks and said "The reason that person is called a source Rathore is so his identity remains anonymous, no one but Riya knew who that person is ?. Rathore asks "Was his information authentic?. Singh Sir said "Every time. I could only assume that this person is powerful enough to get the level of information Riya had. And equally dangerous if she did something to cross him. Rathore said "You believe she did something to cross him?. Singh looks at Rathore and said "In this business Rathore, you have to learn to compromise for bigger goals and that includes your ethics also. Riya seems to have never learned that. Singh Sir then got up and said "I will take your leave. I wish you all the best to find Riya's culprit. She was a good Officer.

Ayesha jumps as Rathore slams the door as he walks inside. Seeing his face, she knew immediately that whatever conversation he had put him in a bad mood. But being a police officer, has also taught her that sometimes you have to take some risks. She walks up to Rathore and asked "Did you get anything Rathore Sir?. Rathore took a couple of deep breaths and took a moment to just calm down. He then looks at Ayesha and said "Did Shree sent the telephone records of Riya?. Ayesha nods her head. He said "Look for any unknown numbers. Maybe someone who Riya has contacted more than twice a day. And go back one month. This has something to do with Riya's sudden decision to marry Arjun. I know her. She is never the type to take sudden decisions. Something or someone must have forced her hand to do so. Ayesha said "I have underlined 2-3 numbers and messaged Shree. He told that he will track down the numbers and get back to us as soon as possible. Hearing her phone ping, Ayesha takes it out and said "Shree tracked down one number. Belongs to one Ms Neeta Sastri. Works in a multinational company as project manager. Rathore said "We will meet her tomorrow. For now let's get some rest. Ayesha nods and goes but turns back to see Rathore leave. And without even his explanation of where he is going, she knew where he would go.

Rathore walks down the hallway, his mind lost in the conversation with Singh. He knew logically that Riya is alive, but his heart needed to see for himself, needs to believe the fact she is breathing, She is alive. Turning into the hallway, his eyes raise up and stops seeing Arjun, Arnav Singh Raizada and Khushi there. Arnav and Khushi were sitting some distance away from Arjun, Khushi's head on Arnav's shoulder both of them just staring into the room where Riya is asleep. Rathore knew that he couldn't sit beside Arjun, it would be too suspicious so he sat 2-3 seats away from Arjun. Arjun looks at him and he looks back and both of them knew in that moment, they weren't the bosses who always lock horns with each nor they were the friends who would believe each other without a single doubt, they were just two men waiting for the woman who is considered as the heart of the team to wake up.

The next morning,

Rathore and Ayesha reach the multinational company where Neeta works. Ordering the receptionist, to call Neeta down, they wait for her. Hearing footsteps, they turn and see a petite woman approaching them her hands wringing in fear or shame. Stopping a few distance away, she relaxes when she sees their credentials but soon tenses up and said "Is my family okay?.

Ayesha quickly assures her and then shows her the photo of Riya. Neeta's eyes widen in recognition and she just looks at them wordlessly. Gesturing at them to follow her, she just smiles at the receptionist and leads them out of the company, and into the near coffee shop. Neeta gestures for them to sit down and said "How do you know Riya?. Ayesha said in a stern voice "I think we have to ask that question Ms, Neeta. How do you know Riya?. Neeta looks at Riya's photo and said "I met her one and half year back, she was a great help for me in my difficult times. I don't know if I would be here if it wasn't for her. Rathore said "You contacted her recently?'. Neeta nods her head and said "Yes, I contacted her one and half month back to ask for her help. Rathore said "You were in trouble?. Neeta shook her head and said "No, I have made enough trouble in my life. No, my colleague Reena, was facing some trouble and since I knew Riya works in the police I figured she can help my colleague better. Ayesha and Rathore wait for her to silently continue, Neeta said "So Reena's sister got married around 1 year ago. It had been an arranged marriage and the family background check has come clean. Her sister and she was regularly in touch. However, 7 months back her sister informed her that she and her husband were moving and so she will call her when they shift to a new location. That was the last time, Reena heard from her sister. Reena waited for one month and contacted the police. But the police couldn't find any signs of foul play and had to close the case. Her family is also orthodox, so they just believe that the sister and the husband is fine. Reena tried to do a search, but the information she had on the husband seemed to have been fabricated but she can't prove it. I reached out to Riya one and half month back because Reena was desperate for any help so she can find her sister. Riya met her and assured her she will help her find her sister.

Ayesha asked "And after that?. Neeta said " Reena got a call from Riya yesterday, she said that she had a lead on where her sister might be but she also warned Reena telling her not to tell anything to anyone and that to wait for her call. Reena said that Riya sounded strange as if she was paranoid about what she had found. Today itself Reena took a holiday so that she can leave as soon as she got Riya's call. Rathore said "Did Riya tell Reena to take some measures?. Neeta nods and said "Yes, she asked Reena to get a burner phone and text her the number. Ayesha and Rathore gets up and after getting Reena's address thanked her. Neeta said "Please find whoever harmed Riya. She is a good person. I wouldn't be able to manage this job if she wasn't my sponsor. Rathore and Ayesha stopped and ask "Sponsor? Riya sponsored your education?. Neeta said "Oh no, that just a word we use... Looking at Rathore and Ayesha's confused faces she said "Oh! You don't know. Ayesha asked "What we don't know?. Seeing Neeta hesitate, Rathore said in a soft voice "Neeta, please every detail about Riya's life can be important to save her life. We need to know everything. Neeta said "it's not that. When people hear about this, they label us. And we are obligated to protect our own. And Riya is one of our own. I can't betray her secret. Rathore said "Neeta, I know you want to protect Riya but please Neeta this is Riya's life. We need to know. Neeta looks at both of them undecided and taking a deep breath said "Riya and I met in Alcohol Anonymous. Riya will be 10 years sober in this year. And both Ayesha and Rathore were shocked at this bomb dropped about their colleague.

Arjun cut the call from Rathore and stares at Riya, connected to a machine to make sure she is alive. He remembers the words, she had uttered in the honour killing case, their first case after he had officially joined the team that she had to make lot of effort and sacrifices to reach where she is today. 10 years sober, means Riya was an alcoholic till she was 17 yrs old. Arjun rubs his face and think what the hell happened that led Riya to have alcohol when she was still a child. And is that cause, the reason of her state today also?

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